20 days in United States Itinerary

More than the country of car-packed streets seen in TV shows and movies, the United States of America is a complex and diverse home to over 300 million people living in a wide range of landscapes and climates. From its big-city skyscrapers to its sprawling natural parks, the country's ''melting pot'' combines many ethnic groups that share a strong sense of national identity despite their cultural differences. A country of road trips and big blue skies, the United States harbors orderly cities filled with restaurants, parks, museums, and innumerable sightseeing opportunities, as well as pristine natural areas perfect for a holiday in the great outdoors. To see as much as you can of this diverse land quickly, drive over some of the more than 6 million km (4 million mi) of highways leading through deserts, mountain peaks, fertile fields, and giant urban centers.

Home to the country's most populous city, the state of New York is a major gateway for immigration into the United States, but also one of the nation's prime holiday destinations. Take a trip down the state's numerous wilderness trails and scenic roads to visit quaint small towns, sandy beaches, historical estates, and artist colonies. Though the majority of visitors head for the big-city restaurants, theaters, and museums, you can venture deeper into the rugged and remote mountain areas to discover a world of picturesque forests, rivers, mountains, and lakes. New York also boasts the nation's largest forest preserve, encompassing much of the northeastern lobe of the state.

Known for its autumn foliage and maple syrup, Vermont is one of the country's smallest states in terms of both population and geographic area. Despite its small size and mostly rural character, the state boasts many picturesque places to visit, including Lake Champlain, one of the nation's largest freshwater bodies. Split in half by the Green Mountains--a popular holiday destination for hiking and skiing--Vermont features a rolling landscape dotted with farms and quaint towns known for their family-run inns, antique shops, and restaurants. Be sure to explore the state's many wild areas while on vacation, but beware of the so-called "mud season," a period of a few weeks when the state's unpaved roads become undrivable due to spring thaw.

The easternmost state in New England, Maine features an indented coastline and forested interior, carved eons ago by receding glaciers. Maine includes more lighthouses and quaint resort villages than you could ever hope to explore in a single trip, but the state is also one of the country's most sparsely populated, the majority of its land pristine and uninhabited wilderness. The temperate coastal regions, historically supported by fishing and lobstering, contain most of the state's urban centers and are the most popular spots in the state for holidays. The sea is the focus here, so it shouldn't come as a surprise that water plays an important role in the distinct character of the state, shaping its economy, tourism, cuisine, politics, sports, and art.

Despite being the country's smallest state, Rhode Island includes over 640 km (400 mi) of coastline, courtesy of Narragansett Bay and more than 30 islands. Most of the state is part of the U.S. mainland, despite its somewhat misleading name. Though it takes only about 40 minutes to drive across this tiny state, Rhode Island includes more white sandy beaches than most visitors can hope to explore on a single trip. The state's one big city and surrounding small towns brim with places to visit, such as museums, galleries, restaurants, bars, and historical neighborhoods packed with colonial-era buildings. Although the state may seem small, your holiday itinerary is sure to be chock-full.